September 30, 2020

Dear Friends,

The Department of Health and Human Services announced five agreements with health information exchange organizations to improve interoperability of state and local public health agencies in their pandemic response.

• The Texas Health Services Authority was one of the health information organizations awarded. The funds will be used to conduct a proof-of-concept program to demonstrate real-time, automated exchange of hospital capacity and other situational awareness data. This investment in interoperability is a 21st century response to this pandemic that will provide great benefits for patients and providers.

National Updates:
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) released a quick-start guide and online payment program to reduce paperwork and authorization delays for laboratories seeking Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certification to test for COVID-19.

• CMS updated the methodology for determining the rate of COVID-19 positivity in nursing homes.

The Trump Administration announced the distribution of 150 million Abbott BinaxNOW Ag Card rapid tests for K-12 teachers and students, higher education, critical infrastructure, first responders, etc., as determined by state governments.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a morbidity and mortality weekly report on the spread of COVID-19 on a university campus, and on the increase of cases among 18-22 year-olds.

The National Institutes of Health awarded $234 million to improve COVID-19 testing for vulnerable populations through the RADx Underserved Populations initiative.

Until next time, this is your doctor’s note.



Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.